Please always use gloves when handling garden snails. They are the host for a tapeworm-type parasite which comes from rat droppings. The snail passes this onto mammals - ie - YOU, and this particular parasite doesn't go down to your stomach.. it is carried up to your brain. End result; likely death. Several people died from this in NSW last year and it still amazes me how many people do not know about this parasite. Please BE CAREFUL. There is more information on the internet if anyone cares to Google it.